Open fires banned on Oahe

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is prohibiting all open burning, including campfires, until further notice on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area along both sides of the Missouri River.

Bill Haase, wildlife resource management supervisor, said excessive dry conditions are making these woodlands prone to wildfires. “We encourage all people using the public lands along the river to be extremely cautious when conditions are dry,” he said. “All of us who use these public lands need to keep in mind that we have neighbors who may be impacted in a situation where a fire occurs.”

Oahe WMA is a heavily wooded recreation area that covers more than 16,000 acres along Lake Oahe south of Bismarck-Mandan, in portions of Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties. Burning restriction signs are posted at all entrances to the WMA.